Summer 1967 was a tipping point for race relations in the predominantly black neighborhood of Virginia Park, Detroit. For decades, racial profiling and the excessive use of force by a disproportionally white police department made the area feel less like a neighborhood and more like a police state.

On July 23, 1967, a police raid on an unlicensed bar resulted in the arrest of 82 black residents, sparking outrage across the community and resulting in one of the largest riots in US history. For five straight days rioting and looting enveloped the city, prompting President Lyndon B. Johnson to mobilize the National Guard. When the smoke cleared, 43 people were dead and over 1,000 more injured. In total, over 7,000 people were arrested and over 2,000 buildings destroyed.

These pictures capture the disturbing scene that unfolded during July 1967 in Detroit.

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A Detroit police officer lines up people as riots ensue in late July 1967.

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Crowds gather in the streets as armed police attempt to maintain order.

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Police in riot gear escort a man who they claim had been looting after the riots broke out.

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Police officers in military helmets point their rifles at suspects on July 25.

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Police officers confront pedestrians.

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Police line up residents of an apartment building in search of sniper suspects.

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The bodies of three shooting victims were removed from the Algiers Motel in midtown Detroit on July 26. The three black men were found shot to death in a motel room.

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A federal soldier stands guard as buildings burn during the riots on July 25.

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Detroit buildings burn out of control as riots rock the city.

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A woman carts away the merchandise she took from a shattered storefront window.

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An armed police officer searches a pair of suspects on July 25.

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The Detroit fire department attempts to make its way to burning buildings amid riots.

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From the White House, President Lyndon B. Johnson directs federal troops to quell the riots in Detroit.

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National Guard troops disembark a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane after arriving in Detroit on July 25.

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Federal soldiers stand guard on a tank in a Detroit street on July 25.

Firefighters are protected by police as they attempt to put out a fire that broke out during the riots.

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A Detroit fire truck is visibly damaged as firefighters attempt to put out fires that swept the city.

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Litter is left scattered across the city in the aftermath of the Detroit riots.

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Women, who were arrested for various offenses, are loaded onto a police bus en route to Wayne County Jail on July 28.

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Pallbearers carry the tiny casket of Tanya Blanding, 4, who was killed during riots on Aug. 1. The girl was killed as a hail of police and National Guard bullets pummeled an apartment building where she was huddled on the floor. Officials said the flare of a match used to light a cigarette was mistaken for the flash of a sniper’s gun.

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Smoke lifts from burned buildings in aftermath of the riots.

Gabriel H. Sanchez is the photo essay editor for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York City.